I didn’t know that Samwise was Patty Duke’s spawn.
Actor Sean Astin, best known for his role as Sam Gamgee in the Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, is willing to share his personal experience living with a family member diagnosed with bipolar disorder in order to help increase awareness of the symptoms associated with the condition.
Astin witnessed the condition’s trademark highs and lows throughout his childhood when his mother, actress Patty Duke, experienced symptoms of undiagnosed bipolar disorder for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Duke’s delayed diagnosis is not uncommon and mirrors the results of a new survey of more than 500 people with bipolar disorder, which shows an average delay of 13 years between symptom onset and diagnosis.
The survey, which was conducted online by Harris Interactive and sponsored by AstraZeneca, included 500 persons medically diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“Though my mom was the one who struggled with the symptoms, the…
View original post 316 more words
blahpolar 
I didn’t realize he was Patty Duke’s son. I also didn’t realize about the 13 years (talked about in the survey). For me it was 18 years, I think. I was dx with depression in 85. Even though I also had my first manic episode (with psychosis and everything) they didn’t recognize it as such.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was glad to see emphasis on something other than stigma tbh. I know fighting stigma is important, but I’d rather see more focus on diagnosis, treatment and cure. And free brain scans for us all ;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m all for the free brain scans! and the other stuff of course :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I own his mom’s book “A Brilliant Madness” but haven’t read it yet..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t got it or read it. You win this round. *walks off*
LikeLiked by 1 person